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Jerome
08-11-2015, 10:37 AM
Hello to all solo sailors!

I am preparing for my 2nd SHTP (2012) aboard a Mini Transat 650 again.

It's probably going to be a long shot...but I might as well throw it out there:
The island of Kauai is a beauty. Finishing in Hanalei bay is magical. I agree. After a couple of weeks at sea, it is nice to finish there because it is a slow way back to the real and annoying civilization.

However, it feels to me that a lot of the racers or sailors are frustrated on the island. As you know, there is no or very little marine facilities, whether it is to get fuel for those who will have to motor/sail back to the mainland, or ways to get our boats out of the water and ready for shipping.

After finishing, I had to sail my boat to honolulu. This was by far the worse part of the race, beating to weather for 24 hours in gale..tearing the boat down and wasting time instead of enjoying it peacefully with my family who flew to the island. The boat suffered and it added costs as well....
Last year, it seems that some were successful in packing their boat in Kauai and have Matson shipping company pick their boat directly on the island. The downside is the cost which is more expensive it seems....In addition, being in Los Angeles, I'd rather get my boat shipped back to San Diego. My understanding is Pasha shipping might not be able to arrange delivery of the trailer and pick up in Kauai.

Long story short, although finishing in Kauai is beautiful, it sorts of ruin the entire experience due to frustration of lack of marine support that we all need when finishing the race. It also adds costs and complexity to the logistics, whether we motor/sail or ship our boats back.

Is there a way that we could finish in the island of Oahu? Kanehoe YC might not work because of Pac Cup, but because the SHTP starts usually a couple of weeks ahead, we might not be too much of an inconvenience...I also have a lot of friends, sailors and members of Waikiki and Hawaii YC who could definitely inquire and arrange hospitality and great finishing for our solo fleet.

Again, it is not as "special" as finishing in Kauai, but the way I see it, I'd rather put my boat away and fly to another island for vacation, rather than struggle through the entire process and burn "vacation days" after a long solo journey. Stress isn't fun.

Well...that's enough wood for the fire...I am curious to read everyone's opinion

Cheers

Jerome Sammarcelli
USA 577 "Biohazard"
2006 Pierre Roland Mini Transat 650
Los Angeles, CA
jerome@sailutionsusa.com
310-500-6216

Harrier
08-11-2015, 11:09 AM
No! That's my 2 cents....

Wylieguy
08-11-2015, 02:36 PM
Donald Trump is many more times more likely to be elected President! Two terms - or even a lifetime gig.

WBChristie
08-11-2015, 02:46 PM
No! Heresy!!

Jerome
08-11-2015, 05:31 PM
Thank you all for the replies...

Don't hate the messenger ;-) I was just asking!!!

Jerome

brianb
08-11-2015, 05:50 PM
Hi Jerome,
I think the others accurately indicate the probability of changing the finish line. The major issue, shipping, was addressed in 2014 and to a lesser degree in 2012. Larry's Island Crane did the heavy lifting at some added costs. Kanehoe is definitely out. The Pac Cup entry number is based on room in Kanehoe Bay. They typically allow about 10% more entries than the YC allows at the finish line as a few boats don't get to the finish. There is no room left. In addition, Kanehoe YC charges a big fee to the Pacific Cup for use of facilities, something that would really push our entry fee up.
Brian

Harrier
08-11-2015, 06:30 PM
Jerome
Nothing personal at all about this. Hanalei Bay IS THE SHTP! When I first sailed in there from Bora Bora in 1978 I was taken by its beauty and compared it as equal to the magical island but better since it was American. I had for some time been enamored with the idea of doing the Ostar Plymouth to Plymouth singlehanded Atlantic Ocean race. But when I saw the first group of SHTP racers there in Hanalei Bay, I said "I'm going to do it here". And I did....It's been a great experience, including racing with you in 2012.
Ken

DaveH
08-11-2015, 06:38 PM
Donald Trump is many more times more likely to be elected President! Two terms - or even a lifetime gig.

a more apt metaphor might be a snowballs chance in Hanalei at high noon.


FWIW, my vote is No.
It is certainly not my place to voice this, having not completed the race, but frankly for me history trumps logistics.
This will be the 20th edition of the race, and now you want to change the course because its more convenient, making this edition an asterisk?

Further, I'm pretty certain the logistics argument doesn't hold a lot of water.
Don't know about 2012, but 4 boats shipped direct from Kauai in 2014.
Yes, it required a day sail around the corner to Līhuʻe, and a day of stripping the boats for Larry's crane pick.
But no one left the island.
In point of fact, a mini that Jerome built shipped successfully [admittedly, via Matson to OAK] the last edition from Kauai.
Lastly, a 2 minute phone call to Matson confirmed that Kauai to Long Beach [admittedly not San Diego, but still south LA] is not a problem...

OK, I'm done.

DH

DaveH
08-11-2015, 06:43 PM
Apologies, did not mean to pile on...

I really did check with Matson though, and they can ship Kauai to LB

Best,
DH

Jerome
08-11-2015, 07:29 PM
Thanks all for the replies! That's awesome. Can't wait to finish in Kauai again!

mike cunningham
08-11-2015, 08:15 PM
Other than that, there are no strongly held opinions.

WBChristie
08-12-2015, 11:19 AM
Thank you all for the replies...

Don't hate the messenger ;-) I was just asking!!!

Jerome

hahaha :) :)

Jerome
08-13-2015, 09:05 AM
Apologies, did not mean to pile on...

I really did check with Matson though, and they can ship Kauai to LB

Best,
DH

Did you talk to someone at Matson that I can talk to?

thanks

JS

DaveH
08-13-2015, 10:22 AM
Hi Jerome -
I believe her name was Betsy, but I don't think that's who will be handling the account.
This was strictly a info-only inquiry to confirm that Nawiliwili to Long Beach could be done...

The number you really want is for what Matson labels as "conventional" group [no, I have no idea why its labeled that].
the direct number is 888-362-8766; conventional@matson.com
The person over there who handles the Pac Cup package deal is: Chris Cassel
in the past, they have extended this to SHTP boats... essentially the "deal" amounts to shipping the empty trailers for free on the outbound trip and charging for the loaded trailer on the inbound trip.
I haven't gone much farther than this, but that's what I know so far.

Best,
DH

dhusselman
08-26-2015, 09:01 AM
Hi Jerome -
I believe her name was Betsy, but I don't think that's who will be handling the account.
This was strictly a info-only inquiry to confirm that Nawiliwili to Long Beach could be done...

The number you really want is for what Matson labels as "conventional" group [no, I have no idea why its labeled that].
the direct number is 888-362-8766; conventional@matson.com
The person over there who handles the Pac Cup package deal is: Chris Cassel
in the past, they have extended this to SHTP boats... essentially the "deal" amounts to shipping the empty trailers for free on the outbound trip and charging for the loaded trailer on the inbound trip.
I haven't gone much farther than this, but that's what I know so far.

Best,
DH

How is shipping typically managed? Did skippers worked directly with Matson or did someone take the lead to negotiate pricing for multiple boats and materials (crates and trailers) to be shipped ahead of time?

Thanks,

Dirk "TIJD" First 30JK

Wylieguy
08-26-2015, 09:34 AM
Dirk, At least for the PacCup skippers work directly with the designated Matson rep. He does the details. The deal is as listed: trailer shipping to Hawaii, charge for shipping boat on trailer home. Be aware that shipping involves a "cube" rather than weight. Trailer hitch to transom X width X height = cubic feet = cost. The mast is not counted in the "cube." You deliver the boat to Matson's docks/yards for loading. Matson didn't charge a parking fee for 3 days, but they might. Out of Oakland there's only 1 Matson ship set up for shipping vehicles, so be sure the schedule is clear. If you miss that ship, it's 3 weeks until it's back.

In 2010 for the PacCup, we had 2 days to get the boat from Kaneohe to Honolulu, mast out, on trailer, packed up, ready to roll. Otherwise we had storage costs before Matson's vehicle ship returned. We did all the unrigging, packing up, etc. we could because the yard charged for every little item: $100 for checking and filling the trailer tires for instance. By the way, it cost $400 to hire a trucking company to haul the trailer a mile from the boatyard to the Matson's location. They did 6 boats in one afternoon! There won't be a next time for me, but a meeting of boat owners and a rental pickup would be the way to go. Also, the yard charged an extra $100 just to use a forklift to hook the trailer onto the truck! Then they gave me a cap with their name on it and thanked me.

brianb
08-26-2015, 09:53 AM
I have shipped back 3 times, although some years ago. Matson has become more conservative due to damage to boats that they ended up paying for, and in their view this was largely due to poor securing of the boat on the trailer. Make sure you follow their instructions to the letter. Be sure your mast is mounted below the height restriction otherwise your cost will sky rocket. Make sure the trailer tires are in good shape. This is a common failure point. I would highly suggest you remove your rudder as this is also a common point of damage in handling (my new carbon blade was split open at the bottom for 10 inches because the forklift towing the trailer raised the tongue so high that the blade hit the ground).

When communicating with Matson always imply you are with the Pac Cup, then no questions arise. We normally are included with them as was indicated above. Your costs will nearly double if you try to ship without being a member of the group.

dhusselman
08-27-2015, 08:39 PM
I have shipped back 3 times, although some years ago. Matson has become more conservative due to damage to boats that they ended up paying for, and in their view this was largely due to poor securing of the boat on the trailer. Make sure you follow their instructions to the letter. Be sure your mast is mounted below the height restriction otherwise your cost will sky rocket. Make sure the trailer tires are in good shape. This is a common failure point. I would highly suggest you remove your rudder as this is also a common point of damage in handling (my new carbon blade was split open at the bottom for 10 inches because the forklift towing the trailer raised the tongue so high that the blade hit the ground).

When communicating with Matson always imply you are with the Pac Cup, then no questions arise. We normally are included with them as was indicated above. Your costs will nearly double if you try to ship without being a member of the group.

Seems a lot of effort while "enjoying" downtime in Hawaii after the race.
I hope I have enough time to sail back....

Dirk "TIJD" First 30 JK

Submarino
09-20-2015, 07:21 PM
I enjoyed Hanaleii Bay immensely! Loved swimming out to my boat, diving the anchor and just watching her from the Tree. Sure, a close lift/hoist would be nice, but then it wouldn't be Hanaleii.

Where else can Brian experience swimming with sharks, again!

JB

BobJ
09-21-2015, 09:19 AM
When communicating with Matson always imply you are with the Pac Cup, then no questions arise. We normally are included with them as was indicated above. Your costs will nearly double if you try to ship without being a member of the group.

Pacific Cup is partnering with Pasha for shipping next year:
Link to details. (https://pacificcup.org/sponsor/pasha-hawaii)

The Smokester
09-21-2015, 07:18 PM
I hope they measure beam and length in parsecs.

Submarino
09-25-2015, 08:50 PM
I had minor damage but prevalent across the boat and trailer. My registration stickers were removed somewhere between Nawiliwili and Oakland. My rudder required about $500 in fiberglass repair, so I second Brian's advice about removing the rudder. Oh, yeah... my VHF radio went missing and I hid it well. I suspect during the Agricultural inspection or after.

JB